IK Multimedia brings spatial gesture controls to iOS with 'iRing'

Using a combination of wearable rings and custom software, IK Multimedia's new iRing system allows iOS apps to recognize and respond to mid-air gestures in much the same way as product like Microsoft's Kinect motion controller.

The specially-designed reversible rings are tracked using the built-in front-facing camera on Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. Software then takes over, using proprietary algorithms to analyze the images and translate the rings' movements into commands.

Each ring features two distinct patterns that can be combined with a gesture to trigger different actions.

IK Multimedia's iRing FX/Control app acts as a hub for the iRing system. Compatible with both AudioBus and Inter-App Audio, the FX/Control app takes responsibility for tracking and communicating instructions and effects to other music production apps.

The company— headquartered in Modena, Italy —has implemented iRing support in its own apps like AmpliTube, SampleTank, and GrooveMaker 2. iRing buyers can also take advantage of iRing Music Maker, a free app aimed at creating new beats on-the-fly that has been specially designed for iRing.

A software development kit is available for developers wishing to add iRing support in their own apps, and IK Multimedia promises a free licensing program for music-focused apps.

The 19.99 iRing comes in three colors and is now available for pre-order from IK Multimedia's website.